The delegation of Uzbekistan, led by the Minister of Digital Technologies Sherzod Shermatov, participated in the Global Dialogue on AI Governance, which took place on July 5–6, 2026, in Geneva.
The delegation of Uzbekistan, led by the Minister of Digital Technologies Sherzod Shermatov, participated in the Global Dialogue on AI Governance, which took place on July 5–6, 2026, in Geneva.
This forum, organized for the first time within the UN system, gathered representatives from international organizations, delegations from over 170 countries, leading scientists, technology companies, investors, and civil society institutions. The main goal of the event was to discuss mechanisms for global regulation of artificial intelligence, ensure the safe and responsible use of technologies, and foster international cooperation.
Opening the forum, UN Secretary-General António Guterres noted that this new platform would become a permanent international mechanism for discussing AI regulation and developing common approaches to its progress. UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany and ITU Secretary-General Dorin Bogdan-Martin emphasized the importance of inclusive governance of AI technologies, improving international legal and ethical standards, exchanging experience between states, and respecting human rights.
Speaking at the high-level plenary session, Sherzod Shermatov presented the main directions of Uzbekistan's state policy in the field of artificial intelligence. The Minister announced the approval of the Strategy for the Development of Artificial Intelligence Technologies until 2030. According to this strategy, about 100 priority projects are being implemented in sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture, energy, finance, industry, and e-government.
The Minister particularly highlighted workforce training. Under the '5 Million AI Leaders' project, more than one million people have already received certificates, over 3,000 civil servants are undergoing in-depth training, and AI technology implementation specialists have been appointed in 90 state institutions. Shermatov also reported an improvement in Uzbekistan's position in international rankings. Specifically, in the Government AI Readiness Index published by Oxford Insights, the republic rose 25 positions, taking the 62nd place out of 195 countries.
Concluding his speech, the minister stressed that the further development of artificial intelligence must be based on the principles of personal data protection, transparency, ethics, cybersecurity, and maintaining human control over technologies. He also confirmed Uzbekistan's readiness to expand international cooperation in the field of AI and participate in shaping global approaches to governing this technology.
The delegation of the Institute of Strategic and Interregional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan (ISMIS), led by Akromjon Nematov, First Deputy Director of ISMIS, participated in the XIV World Forum of Peace, which took place from July 2 to 4, 2026, in Beijing.
The forum was organized by Tsinghua University with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China and gathered over 400 delegates from 60 countries. Participants included representatives from political, diplomatic, and academic circles from the USA, Russia, Europe, Asia, Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East.
Vice President Han Zheng of the People's Republic of China delivered a speech at the opening ceremony, outlining Beijing's main approaches to forming a new architecture of international security, emphasizing the importance of multilateral cooperation amid growing geopolitical instability.
During a session dedicated to prospects for cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), Nematov presented Uzbekistan's concept for the further development of the Organization. He quoted President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, noting that for Uzbekistan, the SCO is not just a platform for foreign policy but an instrument for ensuring security, sustainable development, and mutually beneficial cooperation.
According to the expert, the significance of regional interaction mechanisms is increasing amidst profound changes in the global system. Nematov noted that when global governance institutions face disruptions and cannot always respond promptly to new challenges, the role of regional formats increases, which objectively enhances the importance of the SCO.
At the same time, the expert stressed that the SCO maintains its uniqueness. He stated that the Organization is not a military bloc and was never conceived as an alternative to existing international structures. Its specialty lies in uniting states with diverse political systems and interests while retaining the ability to develop common approaches. In a fragmented world, the ability to maintain dialogue itself becomes a strategic resource.
Great attention was paid to the transformation of modern problems. The expert believes that issues of security and development can no longer be viewed in isolation: 'Without a stable economy, security cannot be ensured, and without security, sustainable development cannot be achieved.'
For this reason, the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, consistently advocates for creating a new model of economic partnership within the SCO, based on interconnectedness and sustainability. This does not mean isolating the region, but rather strengthening its potential to jointly counter external economic shocks by developing industrial cooperation, transport and digital connectivity, expanding trade, and forming resilient production chains.
The ISMIS representative added that 'economic interdependence is not only a source of growth but also an element of collective security.'
Thus, the First Deputy Director of ISMIS concluded that the further evolution of the SCO must be based on a new agenda, where issues of security, economic integration, transport connectivity, and technological development are viewed as complementary elements of a single strategy to ensure stability and sustainability within the Organization's space.
The necessity of maintaining an atmosphere of trust within the Organization was also highlighted. According to Nematov, 'against the backdrop of growing international tension, it is important to prevent the transfer of external contradictions inside the Organization. Therefore, a culture of dialogue becomes not just a value, but a condition for the development of the SCO.' Recognizing the inevitability of disagreements between states, he emphasized that dialogue, consultations, and confidence-building mechanisms are necessary so that they do not undermine the overall agenda.
Describing Uzbekistan's approaches to the Organization's development, the ISMIS representative emphasized that the republic 'consistently supports the open and neutral character of the SCO and the strengthening of good neighborliness.'
The key message of the speech was the assertion that Central Asia must remain the strategic core of the SCO. As Nematov stressed, 'this is enshrined in the Tianjin Declaration adopted at the Beijing summit in 2025. But more importantly, it reflects the objective structural reality of Eurasian cooperation.'
He explained that Central Asia ensures the internal cohesion of the Organization because, from the perspective of geography, economy, and security, it is evident that Central Asia guarantees this cohesion. The region serves as a key transit hub for Eurasia, through which routes connecting East and South Asia, Russia, and the Middle East pass. Furthermore, the principles of the 'Shanghai Spirit' are most consistently implemented here, and the countries of the region are moving from strengthening trust to implementing large-scale infrastructure projects.
As an example, ISMIS cited the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, stating that 'this is not just a transport line. It is a strategic corridor capable of changing the architecture of regional connectivity.'
He also recalled that the SCO Summit in Samarkand in 2022 was a 'real turning point,' after which the 'strategic and conceptual contours of the new economic architecture of the SCO' were defined.
Key elements of the Organization's security system are concentrated in Central Asia: the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure in Tashkent, as well as new centers in Dushanbe and Bishkek. Nematov summarized: 'essentially, today Central Asia performs the function of a systemic stabilizer for the entire Organization.'
A special place in his speech was given to the problems of Afghanistan. The ISMIS expert noted that the SCO's ability to act as a responsible player in global governance directly depends on the effectiveness of ensuring stability in its own space. He stated that 'Afghanistan is a key element of regional security. Its instability affects the entire wide Eurasian region—from terrorism and drug trafficking to transport connectivity and economic integration.'
In this regard, the First Deputy Director of ISMIS pointed out the need to move from discussions to practical actions. He stressed that it is important not only to maintain attention on Afghan issues but also to move towards practical mechanisms of interaction. It is necessary to resume the work of the SCO Contact Group on Afghanistan, as well as develop dialogue with Afghan authorities and support efforts to restore the country's economy. Without the economic recovery of Afghanistan, it is impossible to talk about long-term stability in the region.
Parallel to the forum, the ISMIS delegation held meetings with leaders of leading Chinese think tanks and universities, including Sun Zhuangzhi, Director of the Institute of Russia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia at CASS; Ding Xiaosin, Director of the Institute of Eurasian Studies at CICR; Xu Baofeng, Head of the World Sinology Center, and Professor Yan Xuetong, Director of the Institute of International Relations at Tsinghua University.
During these conversations, Chinese specialists unanimously concluded that thanks to the policy of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Uzbek-Chinese relations have reached the level of 'all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership.' They also particularly noted the role of the head of Uzbekistan in strengthening good neighborliness in Central Asia, promoting regional integration, and shaping the concept of 'New Central Asia.' As a result, today the region is perceived by China as a space of new opportunities and one of the key centers of Eurasian cooperation.
Simultaneously, special attention is planned to be given to the high-tech field; in particular, the Chinese side expressed readiness to further expand cooperation with Uzbekistan in the fields of digital economy, artificial intelligence, innovation, and expert exchange.
The Secretary-General of the United Nations issued a warning in Geneva about the critical importance of developing worldwide regulatory norms in the field of artificial intelligence development.
As part of the United Nations Global Dialogue on Artificial Intelligence, which is taking place on Tuesday and Wednesday, the necessity of minimizing potential threats associated with this technology is emphasized, with special attention to the protection of children.
The first UN Global Dialogue on AI governance, held over two days in Geneva, does not aim to conclude a treaty. Instead, its task is to discuss methods for establishing rules that will reduce the risks inherent in AI while utilizing the benefits that this technology provides.
Delegates will review a report prepared by an independent scientific group with the support of the United Nations. This group consists of 40 experts and will present the results of the first independent global scientific assessment in the field of artificial intelligence.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman called for the establishment of an international system to regulate the development of artificial intelligence. He warned about the potential dangers this technology could pose without unified standards.
According to Altman, the pace of progress in large language models is so high that governments must proactively agree on safety standards, verification procedures, and access rules for the most advanced AI systems.
Altman proposed establishing an international mechanism that would be overseen by the United States. Under his concept, such a structure could assess threats inherent in advanced models, set common requirements for developers, and determine who is entitled to use the most powerful technologies.
The head of OpenAI drew a parallel between the proposed control system and existing international regulations in aviation and nuclear energy. He emphasized that managing this process should not remain solely within the competence of private corporations, and fundamental decisions about the future of AI must be made by democratic bodies.
Nevertheless, some specialists express skepticism regarding such proposals. In the context of AI development, it is noted that Malta has launched its own state program providing its citizens with free access to ChatGPT Plus in cooperation with OpenAI, becoming the first such governmental initiative.
